Whether you’re a capsule connoisseur or a coffee bag novice, we all aspire to create barista-style coffees from the comfort of our own kitchens, and Artisan Coffee Co. is here to help us do just that.
Now more than ever, many of us are looking for ways to cut back and save money, and making our coffee from home is a step in the right direction. Although this doesn’t mean you have to compromise on taste or quality.
Ashley Palmer-Watts, Co-Founder of Artisan Coffee Co. and former Michelin-starred chef, details his perfect cup of coffee, stating: “Usually at the weekend when I have a bit more time, I do enjoy a small perfectly sized flat white. I put a double shot of our smart cookie espresso in a 150ml small-sized cup, with thick glass, topped with hot velvety milk and a very thin layer of micro-foam. I like the texture of the milk but as always, the coffee is still the star of the day.”
Ashley has compiled his top tips for becoming the best ‘at-home barista’, explaining how to brew the perfect cup of coffee at home:
1. Freeze your coffee beans
Maintain the freshness of your beans and make them last double the length of time by freezing them into a perfect portion. Make sure they are sealed, allow them to defrost fully before consuming, and once they have defrosted, do not re-freeze them.
2. Pod machines
Using a coffee pod machine is a great way to reduce waste, as coffee pods keep the coffee fresher for longer than bags and provide the correct amount each time. Make sure to descale your coffee machine at least once a month to keep it working as efficiently as possible.
3. Shake your coffee pods
If you give your coffee pods a shake before placing them into your machine, this will allow for optimal extraction and flow, making the most of the contents of your pod.
4. Start with a warm mug
Run your mug under hot water before making your coffee, especially when using coffee pods, to keep your coffee piping hot for longer.
5. Subscriptions
Once you know how much coffee you consume throughout the week, taking out a subscription of your chosen coffee will be the best way to save money in the long run.
6. The best milk to pair
Ashley says when making a flat white, he prefers to use the best quality full-fat milk available. He loves the silky-rich microfoam that full-fat milk gives you. For a non-dairy coffee, he would either use Sproud as he says this allows the coffee flavour to really come through, or alternatively, would recommend Minor Figures oat milk to pair.
7. Tamping
Make sure the coffee bed is level, if it isn’t level the water won’t run through it evenly which will give it an uneven extraction. Tamp down firmly until you feel the grounds aren’t moving down anymore, then take your fingers and place them on the edge of the basket. Move them in a slight circle and you’ll be able to feel if the tamp is level with the rim of the basket.
8. Serving your coffee
Ashley says some of his friends love to have their coffee served in a cafetière as it’s so simple but brewed at a high quality. For larger groups, he tends to use a filter Coffee dripper as a brewing device, to give a clean texture to the mouthfeel, with great extraction too.
